More will be done to combat fuel poverty - PM
26 March 2008
The Prime Minister has said that energy companies should do more to help people who face fuel poverty.
During Prime Minister's Questions, Gordon Brown said that companies have been asked to provide a package of social assistance for vulnerable households, increasing their yearly tariff from £56m to £150m.
The Prime Minister said:
"We want the energy companies that have benefited in a windfall way from what has happened on the European trading licenses in relation to climate change, to put an extra £100m a year into helping [vulnerable groups]."
Mr Brown said he understood "how difficult it is for people" following global oil, gas and coal price rises of 60-80 percent, and promised to assist those "threatened by fuel poverty" in the UK.
Image copyright: Reuters
Archive of PM's speeches